Composite space-defining structure



Nov. 25, 19 9 I J, TbRbK 3,480,345

COMPOSITE SPACE-DEFINING STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 23, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORIv Jozsef TURUK ATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1969 J. TOROK COMPOSITE SPACE-DEFINING STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 23, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 YE IQ Jo'z sef TOROK m 0.6..

ATTORNEY NOV; 25 1969 Q Q I COMPOSITE SPACE-DEFINING STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb 25, 1968 MENTOR: Jo'szef 0 @w ATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1969 J. TOROK COMPOSITE SPACE-DEFINING STRUCTURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 23, 1968 Jd s 'zm T i ATTORNEY United States Patent Oflice 3,480,345 Patented Nov. 25, 1969 COMPOSITE SPACE-DEFINING STRUCTURE Jozsef Ttirtik, Budapest, Hungary, assignor to Keripar Kereskedelmi Berendezeseket es Gepeket Gyarto Vallalat, Budapest, Hungary Filed Feb. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 707,641

Int. Cl. A47b 47/00 US. Cl. 312-257 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to a composite space-defining structure to be assembled of elements which include top and bottom end elements each having edges stepped twice upwards and twice inwards at right angles thereto, and terminating in free edges formed with slots. The spacedefining structure has further side elements with edges at right angles on two opposite ends and with edges stepped at right angles at 'two opposite sides. The stepped edges of the side elements are situated only in the midsection of the element, beginning at a distance from the ends corresponding to the height dimension reduced by the plate thickness of the first step of each end element, whereas the dimensions normal to the plane of the side element of the stepped edges thereof are the same as the distance between the slots of the end element and the side edges thereof. The structure has at least one locking frame locking the end and side elements together.

As is well known, light and dismountable space-defining structures are required in difierent fields of the technique. Such requirements are to be observed in the instrument industry for the production of instrument boxes, of laboratory furniture and other furniture made of panels. The known space-defining structures made of panels are generally assembled by using conventional interconnecting pieces, riveting, screwing, welding, etc. The disadvantage of these known methods consists in that the dis mantling and rebuilding of such structures are lengthy and labour-consuming. Further, the known structures require a separate frame system for ensuring the necessary stability. Consequently, the conventional space-defining structures need a great variety of elements and components. Thus, their production requires a considerable tooling-up. When assembling, a precise fit must be ensured. In addition, the known structures do not render possible the satisfaction of the increasing demands onvariation possibilities.

The aim of the invention is the elimination of the above drawbacks and the provision for such a space-defining structure which can be assembled of components in an easy manner without any interconnecting piece, further which has a suitable stability without the use of a separate frame system. The invention is based on the perception that the above aim can be achieved when assembling the space-defining structure of components which are provided on their edges with suitable reinforcing parts ensuring simultaneously a self-locking connection.

In accordance with the above, the space-defining structure according to the invention has on its two opposite lower and upper ends bottom and cover elements with edges stepped twice upwards and twice inwards at right angles, terminating in free edges provided with slots, and it has side elements, with upper and lower end edges folded at right angles and with edges on the other two opposite sides stepped upwards at right angle and inwards at right angle thereto, but the edges folded upwards and inwards of the side elements are situated only in the midsection of the element, beginning at a distance corresponding to the height dimension reduced by the plate thickness of the first step of each end element, whereas the dimensions normal to the plane of the side element of the stepped edges thereof are the same as the distance between the slots of each end element and the side edges thereof. The space-defining structure also has at least one locking frame locking the side and end elements together.

'In order to increase the stability, the space-defining structure according to the invention has angle holders fixable on one of the interlocking elements and bearing against both elements.

The front side and back side of the space-defining structure according to the invention may be developed and adjusted into the construction formed by the side and end elements according to the current requirements. The front side, for instance, can be developed as an instrument panel, provided with various regulating and switching means, or it can be developed as a door or window.

The space-defining structure according to the invention has also the possibi 'ty of the inner space divisions as required.

The space-defining structure, to be assembled of prefabricated elements according to the invention, can be fit together in a simple manner without any special craftsmanship and in assembled state, the folded edges of the elements constitute a high-strength frame system. At the same time, the interconnection of the elements is selflocking, ensuring thus the engagement to each other of the space-defining elements. The space-defining structure according to the invention is utilizable universally for the most various purposes and by the multiplication of the elements or by the production in suitable sizes of the components, a structure of any dimension can be built up. The production of the components is very simple, only a plate-bending machine being required.

The invention is introduced more detailed by the drawing by way of example.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the bottom and cover element, respectively, of the space-defining structure according to the invention, 7

FIGURE 2 shows a side element of the space-defining structure according to the invention in perspective view,

FIGURE 3 indicates perspectively the interconnection of a bottom element and a side element,

FIGURE 4 shows perspectively the bottom and side elements interconnected and provided with a locking frame,

FIGURE 5 is a view of the interconnected bottom and side elements provided with an angle holder,

FIGURE 6 shows perspectively the partition construction fixed to the bottom element, whereas FIGURE 7 indicates another partition possibility.

The structure according to the invention includes identical cover and bottom elements, the bottom element a being shown in FIGURE 1, as well as of two identical side elements b, one of which is shown in FIGURE 2. The element a has on its two opposite sides, portions 1 folded upwards at right angles and portions 2 folded inwards at right angles thereto, then portions 3 folded again upwards and portions '4 of its second steps folded inwards, thus being twice stepped and forming first and second steps. In the range of portions 3 and 4 the element a is provided with four slots 51 at equal distance from its side edges. The side element b has on its two opposite sides portions 7 folded at right angles and on its two opposite upper and lower ends, in the middle part of the element b, portions 5 folded upwards and portions 6 folded inwards forming stepped portions. The stepped portions 5 and 6 are begun and finished at a distance from the portion 7 corresponding to the height of the first step portion 1 of the end element a.

The slots 51, however, are developed at the same distance from the edge of the element a as the height of the portion 5 of the element b.

The elements a and b are engaged and interconnected, respectively, as shown in FIGURE 3, the portion 6 of the element b being sunk into the slot 51 of the element'a and the portion 7 of the element b bearing against the plate of the element a. The same is done When coupling the other two elements a and b to each other and to the other elements seen in the drawing.

The structure developed in this way is held together by means of the locking frame c shown in FIGURE 4, as an embodiment. In the present case, two such frames 0 are used. The locking frame 0 consists of the parts 8 and 9 bent on one another perpendicularly and has the same shape as the periphery of the element b. The locking frame 0 can be pulled over the element b onto and locking the structure built up of the elements a and b.

The structure according to the invention has also angle holders g. Such an element g is seen in FIGURE 5, ready to use. The element g consists of parts 10, 11, 12 and 13, bent at right angles one to another. Slots are developed on both ends of the part 11. The element g is pulled onto the portion -4 of the element a using the slots, and then, the part of the element g bears against the base plate of the element a whereas its part 13 against the portions 6 of the element b so that thereby the interconnected zone of the elements a and b is stiffened.

The structure according to the invention may be provided with inner partition elements, as required. An embodiment of such a partition is shown in FIGURE 6. In this solution an element made of plate and provided with slots at the four edges is needed. The element f is pulled by its slots onto the portions 4 of end elements a and fixed in the right position by means of two angle holders g each.

A further possible structure of a partition is shown in FIGURE 7. As is seen in FIG. 7, the portion 6 of the element b is provided with notches 15. A partition frame h of U-section may be arranged in the notches 15 of the element b. At the same time, a partition element 1'' may be fastened to the space parting frame h by means of two angle holders g in the same manner as shown in FIG- URE 6.

This solution ensures numerous arrangement possibilities for the inner partitions. The frames 11 may be arranged optionally, whereas the elements f can be located so that they are connected either to two frames h or to one frame 11 and an element a or to two elements a.

The structure according to the invention has a frame system ensuring the necessary rigidity and stability, due to the development of the elements. The production of the elements is very easy, and several assemblies and disassemblies may be carried out quickly, without any special craftsmanship and damage. Due to its simplicity, the structure according to the invention may be widely used for the most varied purposes.

What we claim is:

1. Composite space-defining structure to be assembled of prefabricated elements, comprising an end element having opposed edges stepped twice upwards and twice inwards at right angles forming at each of said opposed edges a first step and a second step and terminating at said second step in a free edge portion formed with slots, a side element having edges stepped at right angles on two opposite sides and situated only in the midsection of the side element, beginning at an end edge at a distance corresponding to the height dimension of said first step of said end element whereas the dimensions normal to the plane of the side element of the stepped edges are the same as the distance between the slots of the end element and side edges thereof so that free edges of the stepped edges of said side element are received in said slot, and at least one locking frame locking the end and side elements together.

2. Structure according to claim 1 wherein angle holders are fixed on one of said elements bearing against both elements.

3. Structure according to claim 1 wherein partitions coact with said elements to form compartments.

4. Structure according to claim 3 and wherein angle holders coact with said partitions to hold the latter in position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,735,375 11/1929 Card et a1.

2,656,238 10/1953 Adler 312-257 3,284,152 11/1966 Schtirghuber 312257 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,139,621 2/1957 France.

JAMES T. McCALL, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 312-264 

